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Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, received Mark Lowcock, United Nations under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator in the UAE on Monday.

During their meeting, which was held at the ministry’s premises in Abu Dhabi, both sides discussed their joint humanitarian work, as well as mechanisms for strengthening their humanitarian cooperation, and their response to emergencies in various countries, including Yemen.

Sheikh Abdullah welcomed the visit of Mr Lowcock, while affirming that the UAE is firmly committed to its humanitarian work and supporting the UN’s efforts to respond to emergencies and provide relief assistance in Yemen and other countries.

Mr Lowcock praised the UAE’s humanitarian work, while noting that the country is aware and understands the nature of crises and is responding to them in modern and innovative ways. He added that the UAE is a pioneer of international humanitarian work, demonstrating its strong commitment to humanitarian principles, while supporting the UN’s relief efforts.

The meeting was attended by Dr Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, minister of state, and Sultan Mohammad Al Shamsi, assistant minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation for international development affairs.

Mr Lowcock also met a number of Saudi and UAE officials at the Riyadh-based King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief).

In a press statement, the Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber, who is also the executive director of Isnad Center for Comprehensive Humanitarian Operations in Yemen, said “we speak very clearly that the main reason for the current deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Yemen is the Iran-backed Al-Houthi militias usurping power in Sanaa, pointing out that the militias rejected the political solution that prolonged the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.”

“The meeting was positive and fruitful. What I heard today is that there has been a significant improvement in the performance of the UN organizations and a significant improvement in the humanitarian situation,” ambassador Al Jaber added.